You would think after winning seven consecutive Mid-Lakes Conference titles and five straight district championships, the feeling of hoisting that wooden Missouri plaque up in the would get old for Strafford.

After going an imperfect 0-24 in 2010-2011, the Lady Bison have improved their win total in each of the last four years, culminating in Monday’s 68-44 rout of Strafford in the Class 3 – District 11 championship game in Strafford.

The Big Eight Conference rivals were already well familiar with each other as Mt. Vernon had edged East Newton 47-40 a month and a half ago. The rematch was just as intense as the two teams battled tooth and nail all the way in front of an energetic crowd that was virtually split down the middle between Mt. Vernon fans and East Newton fans. The Mountaineers led 10-9 after one quarter and 22-17…

Stockton won that game 43-35, but East Newton coach Erin Rice said “We’re a much different team now.” The key matchup was Stockton 6-foot-3 senior Jolene Shipps versus East Newton 6-foot sophomore Koty Cooper. Shipps would get the upper hand early with eight first-quarter points while Cooper picked up two quick fouls, sending her to the bench. The Lady Tigers led 16-9 at the end of the first…

Brady Petry was the focus of Hillcrest's offense; defending Petry was the focus of Aurora's defense. But in the end, Hillcrest's strategy won out, as the Hornets defeated the Houn' Dawgs in an opening round Class 4 District 11 battle in Aurora Monday, 62-52.

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Forty years ago, one of the greatest boxing matches in history took place in an unlikely setting: the capital of the Philippines. Muhammad Ali's epic win over great rival Joe Frazier in 1975 became known as the "Thrilla in Manila."